Nursing director killed in crash

Woman dies when her vehicle slams into rear of a tractor-trailer on I-88

dayelin roma, Times Union

by dayelin roman, Staff writer

Updated 8:00 am, Friday, December 2, 2011

New York State Police investigators begin the task of determining the cause of a multi-car fatal accident on I-88 in Duanesburg, N.Y. December 1, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

New York State Police investigators begin the task of determining...

New York State Police investigators begin the task of determining the cause of a fatal accident on I 88 in Duanesburg, N.Y. Dec. 1, 2011. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)
/ Times Union

New York State Police investigator Peter Aragosta begins the task of determining the cause of a multi-car fatal accident on I-88 in Duanesburg, N.Y. December 1, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

New York State Police investigator Peter Aragosta begins the task...

The wreckage of a Honda CRV sits on the east bound shoulder of I - 88 as New York State Police investigators begin the task of determining the cause of a multi-car fatal accident in Duanesburg, N.Y. December 1, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

The wreckage of a Honda CRV sits on the east bound shoulder of I -...

New York State Police investigators begin the task of determining the cause of a multi-car fatal accident on I-88 in Duanesburg, N.Y. December 1, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

New York State Police investigators begin the task of determining...

New York State Police investigators begin the task of determining the cause of a multi-car fatal accident on I-88 in Duanesburg, N.Y. December 1, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

New York State Police investigators begin the task of determining...

New York State Police investigators begin the task of determining the cause of a multi-car fatal accident on I-88 in Duanesburg, N.Y. December 1, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

New York State Police investigators begin the task of determining...

New York State Police investigators begin the task of determining the cause of a multi-car fatal accident on I-88 in Duanesburg, N.Y. December 1, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

DUANESBURG — A woman who oversaw three nursing departments at Albany Medical Center Hospital died Thursday morning after her SUV slammed into the back of a moving tractor trailer on Interstate 88.

Roslyn L. Labarre, 57, of Howes Cave, died at the scene when the roof of her Honda CR-V was partially sheared off after the vehicle slammed into the truck on the eastbound side of the highway about 7:25 a.m. between Exits 23 and 24.

Known as Lyn, Labarre was one of five patient care service directors at Albany Med, and was responsible for overseeing emergency services, critical care and nursing neuroscience.

As part of the leadership position, a large number of nurses reported to Labarre. She was on her way to work when the crash happened.

"Lyn was a valued and beloved member of the Albany Med family," Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer Mary Ellen Plass said in a statement Thursday. "She epitomized the nursing profession with her patient advocacy, leadership and passion for caring. We are devastated by her passing and keep her family in our thoughts and prayers."

State Police said after the Honda became dislodged from the trailer, it moved into the passing lane and was struck by a Saturn sedan driven by 40-year-old Bobbi-Jo Nelson of Schoharie.

Police said it appears that driver inattention contributed to the crash.

Nelson's Saturn became airborne and landed down an embankment on its roof. Nelson was taken to Albany Med but did not suffer life-threatening injuries, police said.

Police said Festuskmotho Noumgu, 31, of Nebraska, was driving the tractor trailer owned by Werner Enterprises of Omaha, Neb., and was traveling from Pennsylvania to the Golub Corporation in Schenectady. He was not injured and police said charges are not pending against him.

The State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit, the State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit and the New York State Department of Transportation Motor Carrier Safety Inspection Group are investigating the crash. Anyone who may have witnessed the crash should State Police at 630-1700.